Will George Pickens make Georgia season debut vs. Georgia Tech?

George Pickens, Georgia Bulldogs. (Joshua L. Jones-USA TODAY NETWORK/Athens Banner-Herald)
George Pickens, Georgia Bulldogs. (Joshua L. Jones-USA TODAY NETWORK/Athens Banner-Herald) /
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George Pickens has not played all season for Kirby Smart’s Georgia football team, but he could return vs. in-state rival Georgia Tech in Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate on Saturday afternoon.

Though he has not officially been cleared to play, Georgia football star George Pickens might be healthy enough to return to the gridiron for the national championship-contending Dawgs for this year’s rendition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.

Seth Emerson of The Athletic reports the former five-star wide receiver could make his triumphant return to the field for Georgia.

Pickens, who is seen as the best receiver on the team, has not played since tearing his ACL in spring practice in March. With this being his third year out of high school, he could potentially turn pro after the end of this season. He does want to play.

With Georgia likely using the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets as a warm-up game ahead of the SEC Championship Game, it makes all the more reason to see Pickens make his Dawgs debut on Saturday.

Pickens suited up last week vs. Charleston Southern but didn’t play.

George Pickens injury update: Georgia WR may play in Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate

The biggest thing lacking in Georgia’s offense this year has been the vertical passing game. While Stetson Bennett IV has played very well under center this year for Georgia, any opportunity to work on a perceived weakness in a game your team should win easily should be taken advantage of. Georgia has not beaten Alabama since 2007, the team they will face in the SEC title bout.

Overall, there is no reason to rush Pickens out there against an inferior Yellow Jackets team. The Dawgs will not need him to beat Georgia Tech.

However, his vertical threat in the receiving game may go a long way toward the Dawgs coming out on top over Alabama in the SEC Championship Game, or better yet, over the likes of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the 2022 College Football Playoff.

Don’t be surprised if Pickens does play a few snaps Saturday for Georgia at Bobby Dodd Stadium to knock the rust off and give Alabama something to think about ahead of their Dec. 6 clash in Atlanta.

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